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A publication of the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran March 2020 ISBN: 978-2-35822-017-0 women.ncr-iran.org @womenncri @womenncri At least Whopping Gender Gap 0.584 Women earn one-fifth of men Iran ranks 149 among 153 countries on 105 women 2018 have been executed in Iran since 2013 under Rouhani women’s earnings 2019 At least 15 women are currently on the death row in Qarachak prison and many more in other prisons Azam Maleki is sentenced to double retribution 142 Ashraf Kalhor has been on the death row for 18 years 148 Iran ranks 148 among 153 countries 8m Most teachers live under the poverty line 16 women hanged in 2019 More than double-fold increase Monthly salary of teachers compared compared to the previous year to the poverty line and food basket 3.25m Educated women among 600,000 girl children get married 2.23m every year in Iran homeless 1.5m 1.52m women who 1m sleep in the 234,000 marriages of girls under streets due to 15 were registered in 2017 unemployment Contract Retired Permanent Minimum Food Poverty and poverty teachers teachers teachers wage basket line 37,000 child marriages under 14 were registered in 2018 The unemployment rate of Women work in slavery conditions, educated women without enjoying their legal rights, is 3 to 4 times greater than men although they are responsible for: Justice Ministry official: 75% of products in “We do not seek to abolish the death handicrafts industry penalty for children under 18!” 40% of agricultural NGO representative: products “12 minors executed since 2017.” 80% of production At least of the executed minors Women constitute 62% of university in the carpet industry 3 12 graduates, but hold only 4% of were young women. managerial positions. NCRI Women’s Committee Annual Report 2020 NCRI Women’s Committee Foreword Annual Report 2020 s Iranian women are taking compelled to acknowledge their role 1 Preface the final steps in their quest in the protests. 2 Women led two major nationwide uprisings in Iran Afor freedom and equality, the In the meantime, human rights 4 1,500 including 400 women killed situation is becoming more polarized defenders who are arrested 6 12,000 arrested and brutalized in jails in the country. and detained in abysmal prison On the one hand, oppression of conditions, continue their defense 8 Conditions of women political prisoners women is taking on new dimensions. of human rights. They use every 10 Violent, cruel, and inhumane treatment The rights of nurses, teachers and opportunity to expose the regime’s 11 Harsh prison sentences religious minority women continue to crimes, support the protests in the 12 Hunger strikers and jailed activist women be ignored and violated. streets, and even to report on the 13 Persecution of religious minority women Women and their children are the conditions of arrested protesters in 14 World’s top executioner of women prime victims in the earthquakes and prisons. floods, abandoned without any form The brave women of Iran are fighting 16 Abysmal conditions of women’s prisons of government support. not only for their own freedom, but 19 Violence against women in Iran Women are discriminated against for the freedom of all Iranians. They 20 Most common forms of VAW more than ever in the job market, in lead the struggle of Iranian people 23 Child marriages education, arts, music, sports, etc. towards freedom and equality, 24 Women lack access to decent work, pay, equal opportunities Poverty and its consequent social and their unflinching resolve will ills are becoming more and more eventually realize this goal. 26 Nurses face a plethora of problems in Iran feminized. These courageous women have 27 Teachers’ pathetic conditions under the poverty line The age of homeless women, proven the “Generation Equality” in 28 Bearing the brunt, women heads of household among the addicted women, prostitutes, suicide practice and women’s international most vulnerable victims, etc. has dropped to mid- struggle for parity has become more 29 Tragic death, migrations mark Iran women’s sports in 2019 teens. meaningful with their sacrifices and 32 Feminization of poverty, spread of social ills Child marriages are more commonly contributions. practiced in various provinces, This year’s report is an attempt to 33 Female porters further adding to the number of shed light on the various aspects of 34 Addiction rapidly spreading child widows and women heads of Iranian women’s life and struggle. 35 Homeless women household who are as young as 14. 36 Child laborers, breadwinners of their families And the list goes on... NCRI Women’s Committee 37 More women committing suicide due to poverty On the other hand, Iranian women 38 Lack of infrastructures take a heavy toll on women and children have become more outspoken, spearheading the protests and 40 After years, earthquake survivors continue to live in tents uprisings. and containers They were so effective in leading 42 Iran holds world record for deadly road accidents two nationwide uprisings in the 43 Girl children victims of worn-out infrastructures past year that the authorities were vi 1 NCRI Women’s Committee Annual Report 2020 Women led two major nationwide uprisings in Iran he past year saw two major uprisings in Iran where “ women were instrumental in leading the protests. T In numerous places Protests in November 2019 The first round of nationwide protests took place in “ particularly in Tehran mid-November 2019. The army of the unemployed and suburbs, women who were hungry, and the army of suppressed women and youth apparently between 30 to who have nothing to lose but their chains, were waiting for a spark to revolt against the oppressive mullahs. The 35 years old, had a special uprising was sparked by the three-fold hike in fuel prices. role in leading the riots. Protesters chanted against the entirety of the religious dictatorship: “Death to the principle of Velayat-e Faqih”, “Death to Khamenei”, “Death to Rouhani” and “Death to the dictator.” They also chanted, “Dictator, shame on you, violations of international norms and standards on the let go of our country” and “the mullahs must get lost.” use of force, and serious violations of human rights.” The state-run media reported on women playing a The High Commissioner said her Office had received “leading role” in many cities. They wrote women played information partially corroborating reports that Iranian a leading role in the cells of four or five people. They also security forces used machine guns against protesters in encouraged people to join the protests. Jarahi Square in Mahshahr – including against people The state-run Mashreqnews.com wrote on November fleeing the area and people hiding in nearby reed-beds – 20, 2019, “Women had a remarkable role in the recent resulting in at least 23 people killed, and possibly many mischief. They had special role in various scenes more. in inciting the public to carry out acts against the Remarks made by regime officials and authorities establishment.” ordered the security forces to open fire on unarmed and by any measure amounts to a manifest crime against seemed to corroborate these crimes against humanity. The state-run Fars news agency affiliated with the and defenseless protesters. Snipers targeted protesters humanity. Mohammad Javad Baqeri, the Friday Prayer leader of Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also wrote on from rooftops, shooting them in the heads and chests, The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle the city of Asalem in Gilan Province and representative of November 20, 2019, “Some women played a pivotal and slaughtering teenagers as young as 13 and 14. Bachelet expressed alarm at the continuing lack of the mullahs’ supreme leader in this city, revealed that at role in leading the riots.” Fars added, “Women’s special Plainclothes agents shot protesters at point blank range transparency about casualties and the treatment of one of Tehran hospitals, an innocent nurse was directly role in running and leading the recent riots seemed and struck the wounded with the axe. They deployed thousands of detainees, as well as continuing arrests shot in the forehead as she was watching the protests remarkable. In numerous places particularly in Tehran heavy machine guns, helicopters, and military tanks to reported to be taking place across the country. from a window and attempted to shoot films. suburbs, women who were apparently between 30 to crack down on the protests. And the clerical regime set a “Verified video footage indicates severe violence was In his sermon at the Friday prayer on December 6, 2019, 35 years old, had a special role in leading the riots… new record in crime against humanity. used against protesters, including armed members Baqeri brazenly said, “They don’t give you candies These women wore the same garbs, each had a different At least 1,500 people, including 400 women, were killed. of security forces shooting from the roof of a justice amidst the fight and clashes. There are bullets. Someone role; one filmed the riots, the other stopped the cars, and Some 12,000 have been arrested. department building in one city, and from helicopters in was telling me last night that (in one of the early days another one incited the people to join the ranks of riots…” The regime shut down the internet and blocked mobile another,” Bachelet said.